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Contract mechanical engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Charles Jenckes,

Bryant Harrison

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical contract mechanical engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for contract mechanical engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.1% of contract mechanical engineer resumes contained solidworks as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a contract mechanical engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 contract mechanical engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Solidworks

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use solidworks:

Implement SolidWorks modeling/drafting standards and templates for commonly used complex features allowing for reduced modeling times for many standard part families.
Worked with Project Engineer to design portions of lubricant flow system for surface mining shovel using SolidWorks.

2. Assembly Drawings

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use assembly drawings:

Completed and supervised release of several additional assembly drawings for the ILAV Vehicle.
Created new print circuit assembly drawings and PCB design guides.

3. Autocad

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use autocad:

Used AutoCAD to create P & ID drawings for other departments.
Design retail/home exercise equipment utilizing AUTOCAD R12 and 3D Studio.

4. Prototype

A prototype is a model or sample of a product, created prior to its release with the goal of testing the product and observing its behavior and effectiveness in use. The results of this testing are then used to further alter and improve the product in question, often redesigning it, fixing any issues which may have come up, and otherwise upgrading the already existing design.

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use prototype:

Designed and all detailed drawings for fireproof and waterproof electronic assembly prototype of new automated linear actuators for high pressure.
Designed and manufactured one of a kind, customized proof-of-concept prototypes, collaborating with a range of engineering disciplines.

5. FEA

The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is software that can simulate physical phenomenon with the help of numerical procedures. FEA helps companies in developing better and cost-effective products by reducing the number of physical prototypes.

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use fea:

Design of plastic injection & sheet metal components, perform FEA's and other design related functions.
Performed structural FEA on components to verify functionality or make design updates.

6. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use r:

Design and development of wiring harness by using CATIA V5 R 21.
Performed DFMEA, PFMEA and DVP& R to meet customer specification.

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7. Design Concepts

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use design concepts:

Developed component design concepts for the recovery subsystems on the Future Combat Systems program.
Supported the Calabasas Design team with development of mechanical design concepts and rapid product development CAD/CAM.

8. Creo

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use creo:

Designed test fixtures using CREO for component-level experimental testing and assembly-level validation testing.
Design verification & optimization through CREO Simulation.

9. Engineering Drawings

Engineering drawings are technical drawings that tell about the requirements for engineering components or equipment. Such drawings have standardized languages and symbols. There are multiple types of engineering drawings such as isometric drawing, orthographic or multiview drawing, schematic drawings, one view, and two view drawings, etc.

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use engineering drawings:

Created Engineering drawings for release to CM and presentations to MDA.
Generated project documents includingengineering drawings, cost estimates, bid documents, and construction supervision.

10. Mechanical Design

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use mechanical design:

Project management including mechanical design, materials specification, scheduling, and supervision of other designers.
Assigned to mechanical design of micro computer cabinets.

11. Design Changes

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use design changes:

Approve and test design changes to products to insure conformance to Department of Defense crash rating standards.
Tracked product development and contributed to design changes on current and future product releases.

12. API

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use api:

Detail Engineering and Procurement covering over 100 API pumps up to 10,000GPM capacity & 50 ANSI Pumps up to 17,000 GPM.
Performed detailed mechanical calculation reports for above ground petroleum storage tank in conformance to design requirement of API 650.

13. HVAC

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use hvac:

Provided support for existing products (control valves for the commercial HVAC industry) through initiation and resolution of quality complaints.
Assisted licensed PE in 2D HVAC schematics, load calculations, duct selections, and volume flow.

14. Mechanical Components

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use mechanical components:

Ensured all mechanical components were suitable for the project specifications.
Developed and/or revised technical drawings/specifications for mechanical components of ultrasonic nebulization systems and power sources.

15. Test Fixtures

Here's how contract mechanical engineers use test fixtures:

Designed test fixtures, procedures for testing cables, components, and qualify components from new suppliers.
Streamlined testing processes reducing time by 25% for each iteration of Thermo-Putty test fixtures.

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What skills help Contract Mechanical Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on contract mechanical engineer resumes?

Charles Jenckes

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student

What soft skills should all contract mechanical engineers possess?

Bryant Harrison

Instructor, Murray State University

Engineers are constantly working with a variety of people on a project. These people could be other engineers in the same department or other departments, managers, stakeholders, and customers. The ability to communicate both on a technical and non-technical level with these people is likely the most important soft skill for a design engineer.

What hard/technical skills are most important for contract mechanical engineers?

Bryant Harrison

Instructor, Murray State University

Designing, prototyping, testing, and iterating are likely the most important skills for a design engineer. This is what we strive to teach at Murray State in our Design Engineering Technology program. Many sub-skills would fall into these categories, such as CAD, design for manufacturing, 3D printing, and destructive/non-destructive testing.

What contract mechanical engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Yousef Sardahi

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Marshall University

In the next 3-5 years, several skills are expected to become increasingly important in the mechanical engineering field:

Advanced Computational Skills: Proficiency in simulation and modeling software (like ANSYS, SolidWorks, or MATLAB) will be crucial as these tools become more integral in designing and testing complex systems.
Robotics and Automation: With industries moving towards automation, skills in robotics, automated systems, and knowledge of AI integration will be highly sought after.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques will be valuable as these technologies revolutionize product development and manufacturing processes.
Renewable Energy Technologies: As the world shifts towards sustainable energy sources, mechanical engineers with knowledge in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies will be in high demand.
Data Analysis and IoT: Skills in data analytics and understanding the Internet of Things (IoT) will be important as more mechanical systems are connected and produce large amounts of data.
Materials Science: Knowledge in advanced materials, such as composites or smart materials, will be crucial for developing more efficient and sustainable products and systems.
Systems Engineering and Integration: The ability to understand and integrate various subsystems within a larger system will be key, especially in complex projects.
Project Management and Leadership: As projects become more complex, skills in project management and leadership will be essential for overseeing projects and leading teams effectively.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across disciplines, understanding aspects of electrical engineering, computer science, and even business, will be increasingly important.
Communication and Soft Skills: Strong communication skills, both for technical and non-technical audiences, along with teamwork and problem-solving skills, will always be invaluable in the engineering field.

What type of skills will young contract mechanical engineers need?

Andy Gerrick

Associate Professor and Chair, Embry-Riddle, Prescott

Most important is the ability to pull together the problem-solving skills learned in the different engineering courses to solve real-world, multidisciplinary, engineering problems. This requires a clear understanding of the problem and the requirements, and it requires a thorough understanding of engineering concepts. Memorizing problem solutions is of no value because no one will pay you to solve a problem that has already been solved. An engineer's ability to communicate is also extremely important. Engineering is a collaborative endeavor, so if you are not able to communicate your ideas, you are not contributing.

Do you want to know more?

List of contract mechanical engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a contract mechanical engineer resume and required skills for a contract mechanical engineer to have include:

Solidworks
Assembly Drawings
Autocad
Prototype
FEA
R
Design Concepts
Creo
Engineering Drawings
Mechanical Design
Design Changes
API
HVAC
Mechanical Components
Test Fixtures
BOM

GD
Failure Analysis
Product Development
Pro-E
CNC
Verification Testing
CFD
Contract Mechanical
Engineering Support
Ansys
Structural Analysis
Product Line
Design Engineering
Plastic Injection
Industrial Design
Technical Drawings

ECO
Stress Analysis
Cost Reduction
PCB
Production Equipment
Design Development
PDM
Design Specifications
ISO
OEM
Sigma
Tolerance Analysis
Jigs
Design Reviews
Thermal Analysis
Medical Devices

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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